Mechanical Performance of Low Shrinkage Engineered Cementitious Composite in Tension and Compression

An experimental study was carried out to assess the mechanical performance of engineered fiber-reinforced composites (ECC) with characteristic of low drying shrinkage. Research emphasis is placed on the influence of water to binder ratio (w/c) on tensile and compressive properties, such as stress-strain curves, strength, and strain values as well as elastic modulus. Four mixtures with w/c of 0.55, 0.45, 0.35, and 0.25 were designed in the experimental program. Experimental results show that composite with compressive strength ranging from 20 to 60 MPa can be obtained by varying w/c from 0.55 to 0.25, while retaining the tensile strain hardening and multiple cracking performances. A significant plasticity, like yielding of metal, is found under compressive load after peak stress, except for the similar behavior under tensile load.